Why Neurodiversity Can Be a Superpower, Not a Problem.
18 April - 31 minsJake and Damian invite a very special young listener Raffi, and his mum Mel, onto the show to talk about the power of conditions like autism and ADHD and how they can unlock creativity, focus, and drive, traits seen in so many high performers.
11 year old Raffi comes prepped with his very own high performance questions for Jake and Damian!
Together, they challenge the idea that being different is a drawback, showing instead how it can be a powerful force for change.
Why You Keep Misreading People | Surrounded By Idiots Author
Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off before the launch on 1st January to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp Most communication fails for a simple reason: we talk to people the way we want to be talked to. In this episode, Damian sits down with behavioural expert and Surrounded by Idiots author Thomas Erikson to explore why adaptability, not eloquence, is the habit that defines effective communication. Thomas explains how even highly capable people create unnecessary friction when they rely on their own preferences instead of tuning into the person in front of them. At the centre of the conversation is self-awareness. Thomas shows how understanding your own behavioural style makes it easier to recognise what others need, whether that’s clarity, reassurance, inspiration, or detail. When that awareness is missing, conversations stall. When it’s present, trust and momentum follow. In this episode, they discuss: Why people misinterpret good intentions so often How different behavioural styles process information and feedback The cost of assuming others think like you do Simple ways to adjust your message without losing authenticity Why asking “How would you like me to go about this?” changes everything If you work with people, and especially if you lead them, this episode will sharpen how you listen, how you speak, and how you create alignment without unnecessary tension. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
36 mins
17 December Finished
Jacques Villeneuve | Papaya Team Politics & Hamilton's Next Chapter (E383)
Jacques Villeneuve is a Formula One World Champion, a racing icon, and one of the sport’s most candid, uncompromising thinkers. Known for his fearless honesty and unique path to the top, Jacques brings a perspective shaped by triumph, loss, and a lifelong obsession with competition. In this episode, Jake sits down with Jacques to explore what truly defines a champion’s mindset, on track and in life. Jacques talks about the pressure of leading a championship, the mental shift required to defend what you’ve earned, and why the fear of losing can be more intense than the hunger to win. He reflects on the evolution of today’s drivers, from Lando Norris stepping into a winning identity to the quiet battles within teams that push a competitor to prove they deserve to lead. Jacques also opens up about handling criticism in the modern era, developing the thick skin needed to survive public scrutiny, and how adversity shaped his resilience. He dives into the importance of passion, responsibility, and embracing unconventional paths, revealing how lessons from hockey, skiing, and personal tragedy helped forge the champion he became. This conversation offers deep insights into the psychology of elite performance, the realities behind racing’s brightest moments, and the inner drive required to continually grow, adapt, and compete at the highest level. Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au Vestiaire 👉 Buy and sell preloved menswear now: Audio link: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-au Gemini 👉 Get started and grow your portfolio 📈🚀 https://highpfrmc.com/HPP-Gemini-au Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Gemini Intergalactic UK, Ltd is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, under Firm Reference Number: 921817 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 7 mins
15 December Finished
How Liverpool Used Data to Sign Mo Salah, Allison, and Van Dijk | Dr Ian Graham
In football, we often obsess over the goals, the trophies, the star players. But for Dr Ian Graham, the real story sits in the unseen decisions and quiet calculations that shape everything a club becomes. In this episode, Ian pulls back the curtain on Liverpool’s transformation, revealing how data challenged old assumptions and opened the door to one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern era. From recognising Mo Salah’s potential when others overlooked him to navigating internal battles over recruitment, Ian explains the thinking, the risk, and the conviction behind the signings that changed everything. With clarity and humility, he reflects on the mistakes, the debates, and the culture that allowed bold choices to thrive, offering a rare look at the work behind Liverpool’s rise and the principles that still guide his approach to the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
44 mins
12 December Finished
John Legend: Why He Chose an 'Audacious' Name And How It Changed Him
Win a behind-the-scenes experience at a High Performance record day! Pre-order our brand new book Micro-Habits and use code MICROHABITS26 for 25% off and to be in with a chance of winning: https://hppod.co/HPComp John Legend didn’t set out to become “Legend.” The name found him long before the world did. In this episode Damian is joined by EGOT winner John Legend to explore how a simple nickname evolved into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Before being a ‘legend’, he was John Stevens, a management consultant working on spreadsheets by day and hustling in studios by night. We explore how a nickname turned into a new identity, and how that identity shaped John’s behaviour, ambition, and artistry. Drawing on research from psychology, from the Proteus Effect to the Batman Effect, we uncover how stepping into a bigger version of ourselves can elevate performance long before results arrive. In this episode, you will learn: Why adopting a new identity can raise your standards instantlyHow John used “Legend” as a behavioural challenge, not brandingThe psychology of alter egosHow identity influences confidence, resilience, and creativityPractical ways to choose and step into an identity that helps you perform This episode is a powerful reminder that names aren’t just labels, they’re scripts. And sometimes the fastest way to grow is to choose a name that demands it. Listen to the full episode with John Legend: https://pod.fo/e/2dda44 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
32 mins
10 December Finished
Top Gear Boss On Show's Meteoric Rise, BBC Exit & Clarkson Sacking | Andy Wilman (E382)
explicitAndy Wilman is the legendary executive producer behind Top Gear and The Grand Tour, the creative force who helped turn a small, ageing motoring show into one of the most-watched programmes on the planet. In this revealing conversation, Andy sits down with Jake to open up about the chaotic, brilliant, and often bruising journey behind the scenes. From the early days when Top Gear was “held together by accidents,” to the lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that formed between Clarkson, Hammond and May, Andy explains how a mix of creative instinct, insecurity, and outright stubbornness shaped the show’s rise. He also discusses the strange alchemy behind iconic ideas like The Stig, the happy mistakes that became formats, and the moments where the team’s success began to run away from them. Andy reflects on the personal cost of building a global juggernaut: the burnout, the pressure of chasing ever-bigger audience numbers, the fear of being “found out,” and the toll it took on his home life and mental health.. This episode goes far beyond cars. It’s a conversation about leadership, the dangers of unchecked momentum, the creative magic that comes from imperfection, and the deeper human truth Andy only recognised with hindsight: that success means nothing if you never stop long enough to enjoy it. Want the exclusive story on the high-stakes Amazon deal that launched The Grand Tour? Watch Andy on 'The Room Where It Happened' with Jake. Surfshark 👉 Go to https://highpfrmc.com/HPP_Surfshark_AU or use code HIGHPERFORMANCE at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN! Simba 👉 Jake believes better performance starts with better sleep. Discover Simba, start your 200-night trial today now: https://highpfrmc.com/hpp-simba-au Vestiaire Collective 👉: Buy and sell preloved menswear now: https://highpfrmc.com/vestiaire-au Babbel 👉 Learn a new Language and get up to 55% off your subscription at: https://highpfrmc.com/HPP-Babbel-AU Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Gemini Intergalactic UK, Ltd is registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, under Firm Reference Number: 921817 HP Foundation 👉Do you want to kick-start an evolution that will change the lives of millions of children? Find out more about the High Performance Foundation: https://hppod.co/foundation HP Corporate Events 👉Click here to book High Performance Events: https://hppod.co/corporate-events Explore offers and discounts through our other partners: https://hppod.co/partners Andy’s book ‘Mr Wilman’s Motoring Adventure’ is out now and available to purchase - https://hppod.co/mr-wilmans-motoring-adventure-clarkson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
1 hour 22 mins
8 December Finished
The Secret to Feeling Calm When Out of Your Depth
explicitWe all feel out of our depth, but the real secret is learning to stay calm anyway. In this episode, Jake and Damian explore a universal human experience, the moments when we feel completely out of our depth, and reveal why calmness, clarity, and growth often begin right there. Drawing on powerful lessons from guests like Tom Aspinall, Petr Čech, Alex Greenwood, Nick Cox, and Alex Honnold, they uncover the mindset shifts that help us stay steady when everything feels uncertain. They discuss the importance of naming your fears instead of suppressing them, accepting what you can’t control, and breaking big challenges into small, manageable steps. Through stories of athletes and leaders who chose discomfort, built resilience through “micro-dosed” challenge, and repeatedly stepped into the unknown, Jake and Damian show that fear isn’t a sign you’re failing, it’s a sign you’re expanding. This episode is a reminder that the secret to feeling calm isn’t eliminating fear, but learning to move with it: acknowledge it, act despite it, and trust that confidence grows through action, not certainty. Listen to the episodes mentioned: Tom Aspinall: https://pod.fo/e/2d3d2e Petr Čech: https://pod.fo/e/21c565 Alex Greenwood: https://pod.fo/e/30cbd0 Nick Cox: https://pod.fo/e/138399 Alex Honnold: https://pod.fo/e/25ce8e Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
29 mins
5 December Finished